Debauchery aside, I think the book has some very interesting and subtle points to make about the curious intertwining of innocence and vulgarity that defined American culture in the postwar decade when the book was written, and how that might have appealed to war-ravaged, cynical, existentially destroyed Europe.

Hundreds who cannot find Money to pay Taxes, can find it to purchase useless Gew Gaws, and expend much more in the Gratification of Vanity, Luxury, Drunkenness, and Debauchery than is necessary to establish the Freedom of their Country.